Device for protection against inclement weather



y 1, 1969 ,1. M. SLATON 3,452,765

DEVICE FOR PROTECTION AGAINST INCLEMENT WEATHER Filed May 31, 1966 I I l I I a I l I l J /0 l W 'W WW1 Q WJSiJ/J Mm Q fig I I Hg.

INVENTOR. Joyce M.5/a/on A TTORNE' Y United States Patent 3,452,765 DEVICE FOR PROTECTION AGAINST INCLEMENT WEATHER Joyce M. Slaton, 546 S. Toledo, Tulsa, Okla. 74112 Filed May 31, 1966, Ser. No. 553,741 Int. Cl. A45b 11/00, 19/00 US. Cl. 135-20 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Summary of the invention This invention relates to a device for the protection of the head, hair and face from the elements of the weather, for example rain, wind, mist and the like. An object of the invention is to provide a device of simple construction which can be manufactured cheaply and which when not required for use can be folded into a flat package convenient for carrying, for example in a ladys hand bag.

According to the invention the device comprises a combined umbrella hat having a framework and adapted for an open in-use position providing a box like housing open at the bottom or for folding into a substantially flat book-like package when not in use, said framework comprising an upper rectangular rib frame provided with flexible portions at the center of each of said upper rib frame elements, a rib depending from each corner junction of the upper rib frame, said cover comprising a top wall of substantially stiff material weakened along lines in the area of said flexible portions to permit inward folding of the upper rib frame with said top wall folding downwardly into the framework and four side walls each mounted on a rib of the upper frame and an adjacent pair of depending ribs, the ribs of the upper frame and the lower uniting ribs also adapted to fold inwardiy at their junctions with the depending ribs and a handle for carrying said device depending from one of said depending ribs.

Other and further objejcts and advantageous features of the present invention will hereinafter more fully appear in connection with a detailed description of the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a head gear device embodying the invention and in a fully opened position for use.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a head gear device embodying the invention and depicted in a partially folded or collapsed position.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a head gear device embodying the invention and depicted in a fully collapsed or folded position.

FIGURE 4 is a front elevational view illustrating a head gear device embodying the invention in position around the head of a user.

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character 2 generally indicates an umbrella hat comprising a hous ing portion 4 having a suitable handle or supporting member 5 secured thereto or carried thereby. The housing 4 is of a generally rectangular box-like form and is constructed from any suitable transparent, water repellent, weather resistant material, such as plastic, or the like.

The transparent material should be sufiiciently rigid or of sufficient stiffness to maintain the overall box-like configuration as shown in FIGURE 1, but sufficiently flexible or yieldable for folding into the collapsed position as shown in FIGURE 3. As depicted herein, the housing 4 comprises a substantially fiat and rectangularshaped top member 6 having four sides 8, 10', 12 and 14 depending downwardly therefrom. One of the sides, such as the side 10, may be slightly shorter than the other sides to provide a cut-away or recess portion 16 for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth. Of course, it is to be noted that all of the sides 8, 10, 12 and 14 may be of the same length, if desired. The top portion 6 may be suitably crimped or suitably scored along a pair of intersecting diagonal lines 18 and 20 (FIGURE 10) and along a substantially straight line 22 extending between the sides 10 and 1-4 and substantially centrally disposed between the sides -8 and 12 for facilitating folding or collapsing of the device 2.

The outer edges of the housing 4 as shown herein define a frame-like structure generally indicated at 24. These edges may be reinforced or strengthened in any suitable manner whereby the housing 4 will maintain its shape in the expanded or in use position therefor as depicted in FIGURES l and 4. As illustrated in the drawings, the frame-like structure 24 may comprise four spaced longitudinally extending ribs or strengthening members 26 with one rib 26 being disposed at each juncture between the adjacent sides of the housing 4. A transversely extending rib or strengthening member 28 may be provided at the juncture between the side 8 and top member 6 and extends between the rib members 26 provided at the junctures between the sides 8 and 10 and 8 and 14, respectively. A similar transversely extending rib 30 may be provided at the juncture between the top 6 and side 12 and preferably extends between the ribs 26 disposed at the junctures between the sides 10 and 12 and 12 and 14, respectively. It is preferable that the rib members 28 and 30 be either broken or provided with a flexible portion at the center thereof as shown at 32 in FIGURE 1 in order to facilitate folding or collapsing of the housing 4 as will be hereinafter set forth.

A rib or strengthening member 34 is provided at the juncture between the top 6 and side wall 10 and preferably extends between the ribs 26 secured at the junctures between the walls 10 and 8 and 10' and 12. A similar rib 36 is provided at the juncture between the top 6 and the side wall 14 and extends between the ribs 26 secured at the junctures between the walls 8 and 14 and 14 and 12. The ribs 34 and 36 are preferably broken or provided with a flexible portion in the center thereof as shown at 38 to facilitate folding of the housing 4. In addition, ribs or strengthening members (not shown) may be provided along the lower edges of the sides 8, 10, 12 and 14, if desired.

The handle 5 may be of any suitable type and is preferably provided with a hand grip member 40. The handle 5 may be integral with one of the ribs 26, or provided with a folding joint portion (not shown) or removably secured to the housing 4 in any well known manner for ease of removal or folding thereof in the collapsed or portable position for the device 10. In addition, a suitable handle portion 42 may be provided for the housing 4 which may function for securing the device 2 in the folded position as clearly shown in FIGURE 3, and also provide a means for carrying the folded device 2. The handle 42 may be of any suitable type, and may be secured to the housing 4 in any suitable manner and in any desired location for facilitating manipulation of the umbrella hat 2. Furthermore, the sides 8, 10, 12 and 14 and top 6 may be secured together :means of Zippers, or the like (not shown), if desired. Apertures (not shown) may be provided in one or any of the sides of the housing 4 for increasing the air circulation therein.

When the umbrella hat 2 is to be used, the housing 4 may be quickly and easily manually opened to the position shown in FIGURES 1 and 4, and the head 44 f the user may be inserted in the open lower portion thereof. The recess 16 is preferably disposed in the front of the device, and provides clearance for the shoulders 46 of the user, as particularly shown in FIGURE 4. The housing 4 may be supported by the handle 6 in such a manner that the head 44 is disposed between the sides 8, 10, 12 and 14, and below the top 6. The open lower end of the housing 4 permits air circulation within the interior thereof but precludes entrance of wind, rain, or other moisture laden particles therein. The transport feature of the material from which the housing 4 is constructed precludes interference with the vision of the user. Thus, the head and hair are protected from adverse weather conditions while simultaneously providing protection for rniladys coitfure.

When the device 2 is not in use, two of the sides, such as the sides 10 and 14, may be manually folded inwardly substantially along the center line thereof, as shown in FIGURE 2, and simultaneously the cover or top 6 may be collapsed in such a manner that the point of intersection of the lines 18, 20 and 22 is folded inwardly, as shown in FIGURE 2. The opposite sides 8 and 12 may then be moved in a direction toward each other to provide a substantially rectangular, flat overall configuration for the structure. The sides 8 and 12 may then be folded substantially in the middle to provide the configuration depicted in FIGURE 3. The handle 42 may then be snapped or otherwise secured over or between the open or free edge of the exposed side, such as the side 8, for retaining the device 2 in the fully collapsed position and to provide a means for carrying folded hat 2. As hereinbefore set forth, any type of handle may be utilized in lieu of the handle 42. For example, the handle 42 as shown in FIGURE 3 may be provided merely for fastening the free edges of the side 8, and an additional strap or similar type handle member (not shown) may be secured to the housing 4 in substantially any desired location for facilitating carrying or manipulation of the portable umbrella hat 2. As hereinbefore set forth, the handle 5 may be 'removably secured to the housing 4, if desired, and may be removed therefrom and stored within the folded or collapsed housing 4 during periods of non-use. Alternatively, the handle 5 may be provided with a hinge or joint (not shown) whereby the handle may be folded within the housing 4, or adjacent the outer surface thereof, in the collapsed position of the device 2.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present invention provides a novel umbrella hat device particularly designed and constructed for protecting the head of a user from adverse weather elements such as rain and wind without disturbing the hair set or coiffure, and without interference of the vision of the user. The novel protective device comprises a housing adapted to encircle or encase the head of the user, and is constructed of a transparent material for substantially eliminating any disturbance of the vision during use thereof. The structure may be readily folded or collapsed into a relatively small and handy package for facilitating storing or carrying thereof when not in use. The novel umbrella hat is simple and efficient in operation and economical and durable in construction.

Changes may be made in the combination and arrangement of parts as heretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings, it being understood that any modification in the precise embodiment of the invention may be made within the scope of the following claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for protecting the head, hair and face against the weather, said device comprising a combined umbrella hat having a framework and a transparent cover for same and adapted for an open in-use position providing a box like housing open at the bottom or for folding into a substantially fiat book-like package when not in use, said framework comprising an upper rectangular rib frame provided with flexible portions at the center of each of said upper rib frame elements, a rib depending from each corner junction of the upper rib frame, said cover comprising a top wall of substantially stiff material weakened along lines in the area of said flexible portions to permit inward folding of the upper rib frame with said top wall folding downwardly into the framework and four side walls each mounted on a rib of the upper frame and an adjacent pair of depending ribs, the ribs of the upper frame fold inwardly at their junctions with the depending ribs, and a handle for carrying said device depending from one of said depending ribs.

2. A protective device as claimed in claim 1, wherein one side wall is slightly shorter that the other sides.

3. A protective device as claimed in claim 1, having securing means for retaining same when folded fiat.

4. A protective device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handle is detachable.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,036,142 8/1912 Par-ker -20 2,385,937 10/1945 Piechowski 135-l9.5 2,445,487 '7/ 1948 Lester et al. 2-174 2,502,984 4/1950 Paramenter 135-20 2,563,353 8/1951 Mueller et al 135-19.5 2,870,451 1/ 1959 Brodsky 2-202 PETER M. CAUN, Primary Examiner. 

